As Kearny nears settlements with police and firefighters to avoid year-end layoffs, the union representing non-uniformed employees fears that opening their contract to negotiate with the town will result in a steep hike in health insurance contributions.

Officers of Kearny Civil Service Council 11 say that agreeing to givebacks requested by the town to save money will leave its members vulnerable to a state law adopted last year that requires all public employees to contribute more toward their health insurance once their contract is opened.

The Kearny union’s contract expires in 2014, according to CS 11 President Maryann Ryan. “Last year we were the only ones who went in and agreed to givebacks,” said Ryan, referring to negotiations with the town that prevented layoffs in 2010.

“At that time, our contract was extended to 2014. If we open the contract for any reason, we immediately start to pay more for our health care.”

Mayor Al Santos said the issue can be resolved without re-opening the union contract, but would provide no specifics. “I think that’s an issue we can handle at the negotiating table without opening the collective bargaining agreement,” he said.

Eleven CS 11 members face layoffs on Dec. 31 if the union and the town fail to reach an agreement. Ryan said town officials have asked the bargaining unit to agree to 26 furlough days, as well as other givebacks. Last year CS 11 employees avoided layoffs by forgoing contractually agreed upon raises, as well as 26 furlough days that closed town offices for half of the Fridays in 2011. Earlier this fall, town officials announced that they needed to slash the municipal budget by $5 million, with $3 million of that total coming from a reduced workforce.

Officials said they hoped to achieve the other $2 million through cuts in operating expenses and revenue increases. Of the $3 million needed through workforce reduction, Ryan said the town initially asked CS 11 to supply $785,000 in savings. But she said the amount of givebacks requested from the union later jumped to $870,000.

In addition to concerns about health insurance costs, CS 11 members are troubled that employees targeted for layoffs weren’t selected based on date of hire. “With the Police and Fire departments, the last hired are the first fired,” said Ryan, a clerk typist in the Fire Department who has received a pink slip after 28 years with the town. “With CS 11, they’re taking the top of the crop.”

Among the other employees slated for layoff is a violations clerk who union leaders say brings in more revenue than his salary and benefits cost the town.

Mayor Al Santos said officials are taking a second look at that position. “He does bring in revenue and that’s why we’re looking at it again,” he said, noting that union estimates differ from those generated by the town. “Your premise has validity and we’re looking at it again.”

Santos and Town Administrator Michael Martello added that pending retirement notices CS 11 officers say they have received could also stave off layoffs. The town has yet to receive those notices, according to Santos and Martello.

“The CFO has to verify that it will work with sick time, personal time and vacation time due,” Martello said of saving jobs through retirements. “But they have to be real numbers.”